U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon is calling for an investigation into Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over allegations he unlawfully interfered in a pair of highly targeted Iowa congressional races.
Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee,filed a complaint on Tuesday, July 14, accusing Kennedy of violating the Hatch Act, a 1939 law that limits certain political activities by federal employees, after news outlets surfaced audio recordings of conversations in which Kennedy reportedly persuaded third-party candidates to exit 2026 midterm races that could thwart GOP control of the U.S. House.
Wyden sent a letter to the Office of Special Counsel to open an investigation into the matter.
“Kennedy has spent 16 months using his official position to undermine the health and well-being of his fellow Americans, and now he is using his official position to undermine the integrity of democratic elections too,” Wyden wrote in his letter.
The allegations come as President Trump has deployed Kennedy as a surrogate to battleground districts around the country to tout efforts to encourage healthy eating and exercise as part of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
In a statement responding to Wyden’s allegations, an HHS spokesperson disputed the allegation of Hatch Act violations and said, “Leave it to Senator Wyden to politicize the administration’s efforts to Make America Healthy Again.”
Wyden’s complaint stems from two calls Kennedy made to two Iowa Libertarian candidates — Rick Stewart in northeastern Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District and Marco Battaglia in south-central Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District — to suggest they drop out of their respective races.
Stewart said he received a call from Kennedy on June 11 and Battaglia said he received a call June 8.
The Register first reported Kennedy’s call to Battaglia. The Washington Post first reported Kennedy’s call with Stewart.
Both seats are highly competitive and will help determine whether Democrats take control of the U.S. House, which Republicans fear would threaten Trump’s ability to execute the rest of his second-term agenda. Third-party candidates could be spoilers for GOP candidates in these seats.
Election forecasters at the Cook Political Report recently shifted the 2nd District from a “likely Republican” win to the more competitive “lean Republican” category.
The seat is open with Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s decision to run for U.S. Senate. Democrat Lindsay James, Republican Joe Mitchell and independent Dave Bushaw are on the ballot alongside Stewart.Election forecasters at the Cook Political Report rate the 3rd District as a “toss-up,” their most competitive category. Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn faces a challenge from Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott.
A state panel in June booted Battaglia from the 3rd District ballot because his nominating papers did not match his legal name, Mark T. Andersen. He is suing to appeal the decision.
The Libertarian Party of Iowa has condemned what they describe as a “GOP intimidation campaign.”
“Iowans of every background rolled up their sleeves and put these candidates on the ballot the right way, one signature at a time,” Libertarian Party of Iowa Chair Stephanie Berlin previously said in a statement. “Now that we have earned our place fair and square, the Republican machine is trying to rip it away with bullying, bribes, and lawyers. It will not work. We are not going anywhere, and Iowa voters deserve a real choice.”
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Sen. Wyden seeks probe of RFK Jr.’s alleged interference in Iowa races
Reporting by Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
